What happens to the agricultural products the growing projects raise?

The products must be monetized (sold, converted to cash), with the proceeds going to FRB. It is tremendously expensive to ship anything to a port city, then overseas, and then get it to hungry people. We feed more people if we source inputs for our overseas agricultural development programs as close to the need as possible. Plus, as Christians, we need to make certain we don't place U.S. commodities on an emerging in-country market and squash their initiative. Many of FRB's overseas food security programs are now in a position to market grain or other vegetables, but they have no market if food is being given away for free in their own countries.

FRB uses the proceeds from your growing project to support program communities in becoming self-sustaining. The money is used by FRB’s member organizations, their in-country partners and village leadership to support smallholder farm families in growing their own food. It may purchase seed, tools, fertilizer, wells, drip irrigation, small herd animals, etc. It may pay for extension services and farmer field schools and demonstration plots. It may be used for training in appropriate agricultural techniques, health, nutrition and sanitation instruction, internal savings and loan groups, farmer co-ops and more. FRB’s model is to involve program beneficiaries in determining what they need to improve their family and community food security. FRB’s programs focus on the most vulnerable community members: women, children, the elderly, and HIV/AIDS patients and orphans. The goal is for all to live healthy, productive lives and grow enough food for household needs, with extra to share, barter or sell to purchase basic medicines and household staples and send ALL their children to school.